DETROIT -- Danny Salazar hopes to get back on track tonight as the Indians seek to even their series against the Tigers.
Salazar (6-7, 4.19 ERA) gave up six runs on eight hits in Monday's 12-3 loss to the Angels. All of the runs the right-hander gave up came in the fifth, which snapped Salazar's string of 21 consecutive innings without giving up a run.
Prior to that start, Salazar had pitched a complete-game shutout against the Tigers on Sept. 3, which marks the Tribe's only win against Detroit in the past six meetings.
"I was just leaving everything up. I was doing pretty good going away," said Salazar about his start against the Angels. "I just came inside just a few times. I have to come more inside."
That might also serve as a memo to the rest of the Indians' pitching staff since they have not done a good job of attacking the Tigers inside. In Friday's 7-2 loss, they rarely went in on them and left a couple pitches hanging, including a two-run shot by J.D. Martinez on a sinker.
If Salazar can go at least five innings, the Indians should have a shot. In the 17 career starts in which he goes at least five, Salazar is 8-2 with a 2.44 ERA, including 6-1 this year. In the 10 starts in which he doesn't go five, Salazar is 0-8 with a 7.24 ERA.
The Indians go into tonight's game four behind the second wild card and trailing the Tigers by 4 ½ in the division. Detroit took over the lead in the division after Kansas City lost to Boston on Friday. The Royals and Mariners share the second wild card after Seattle beat Oakland. The Athletics hold the first wild card by a half game.
Other things to watch going into tonight's game:
On the offensive: The Tigers lead the American League with 68 games of 10 or more hits this season. J.D. Martinez, who was 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBI last night, is 18 for 55 with six home runs and 18 RBI against the Indians this season.
Just rolling along: Michael Brantley has a hit in 17 of his last 19 games and is 27 for 75 over that span.
Tigers starter: Kyle Lobstein (1-0, 2.78 ERA) is making his fourth start of the season. He went 5 2/3 innings against the Indians on Sept. 2 and gave up two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings with three walks and 10 strikeouts. He did not factor into the decision.
Tigers vs. Salazar: Torri Hunter 3-14; Victor Martinez 4-11; Miguel Cabrera 5-10, HR, 2 RBI; Rajai Davis 1-6; Ian Kinsler 2-7, HR, 3 RBI; Nick Castellanos 1-6; Don Kelly 1-5; Alex Avila 2-3; J.D. Martinez 0-4; Bryan Holaday 1-3; Eugenio Suarez 0-3; James McCann 0-1; Steven Moya 1-1.
Indians vs. Lobstein: Michael Bourn 0-3; Michael Brantley 1-2; Yan Gomes 0-3; Jason Kipnis 1-2; Jose Ramirez 0-3; Carlos Santana 1-2, HR, 2 RBI; Lonnie Chisenhall 0-2; Tyler Holt 1-2; Ryan Raburn 1-2.
